Only 16 teams remain in the revamped Champions League format, with the 2024/25 edition being the first of its kind. The draw, held at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, has determined the Round of 16 matchups.
The top eight teams from the league phase, including Liverpool, Barcelona, and Aston Villa, now rejoin the competition, facing opponents who advanced through the recent knockout play-offs. Real Madrid secured their place in this round after Kylian Mbappé’s hat-trick helped them defeat Manchester City in a thrilling two-legged tie. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain made a statement with a dominant 10-0 aggregate victory over Stade Brestois.
The Round of 16 will be played over two legs, with the first matches scheduled for March 4 and 5, and the return fixtures set for March 11 and 12. Key questions remain: Who will Arsenal, led by Mikel Arteta, face? Who is drawn against Atlético Madrid? And who will take on Arne Slot’s Liverpool?
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa will meet Club Brugge, a team they previously faced in the league phase, hoping for a better result after losing 1-0. Following their victory over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid will not face city rivals Atlético Madrid at this stage. However, the two Madrid-based teams will still meet in the Round of 16. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen—two dominant Bundesliga sides—will also go head-to-head.
For the Premier League teams, Arsenal will take on PSV Eindhoven, while Liverpool, under new management with Slot, face a tough challenge against a formidable PSG side still seeking their first-ever Champions League title. Benfica, meanwhile, must contend with Barcelona, and last season’s finalists, Inter Milan, are set to face Feyenoord. Borussia Dortmund will battle French club Lille in their two-legged clash.
2024/25 Champions League Round of 16 Fixtures
Aston Villa vs Club Brugge
Borussia Dortmund vs Lille
Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid
Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen
PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal
Feyenoord vs Inter Milan
Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool
Benfica vs Barcelona
Quarter-Final and Semi-Final Draws
Along with the Round of 16 matchups, teams also discovered their potential paths to the final in Munich. A possible standout fixture could see Arsenal taking on Real Madrid.
The winner of Arsenal vs. PSV Eindhoven will face the victor of the Madrid derby. If Liverpool overcomes PSG, they will meet either Aston Villa or Club Brugge. However, if PSG advances, they will take on one of those two teams instead.
On the other side of the bracket, the winner between Inter Milan and Feyenoord will face either Bayern Munich or Bayer Leverkusen in what promises to be an intense clash. Meanwhile, the victor of Borussia Dortmund vs. Lille will go up against either Benfica or Barcelona in the final quarter-final matchup.
A potential all-Premier League semi-final between Arsenal and Liverpool could be on the horizon. Elsewhere, Real Madrid might take on either Liverpool or PSG, depending on how results unfold.
Additionally, a heavyweight showdown between Barcelona and Bayern Munich—two favorites to win the tournament—could materialize if both teams progress. If things align at the Allianz Arena, football fans might even witness an El Clásico in the latter stages.
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